Niranjana Swami Vyasa Puja / Safala Ekadasi 12 26 24

https://krishna1008.blogspot.com/2021/07/message-from-iskcons-niranjana-swami.html

NIRANJANA SWAMI'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

A few days back Niranjana Swami had his Vyasapuja / birthday party in Mayapur Dham. The main guests were Indradyumna Maharaj, Sivaram Maharaj, Dhanurdhara and Madhavananda.

PADA: Madhavananda dasa (far right) was a follower of Gaura Govinda Maharaja, but now he hangs out all the time with GBC's guru folks --- just like GGM himself always did. And it is unfortunate that GGM was voted in as guru at the same time as they were reinstating oral sex with taxi drivers in the dham-pada, as "Vishnupada." 

OK for starters Vishnu, and / or any agents of Vishnu, are not ever going to be happy with this lot. In sum, making oral sex with taxi drivers the acharya successor to Vishnu is going to produce ill effects, and it has. And did we forget to mention thousands of kids are victims of this process? 

A concerned disciple reached out to inform me that Dhanurdhara had been invited to the party and explaining that they had been instructed to conceal his presence. Before I share my toughs I would like to point out that personally I do not have any bad feelings towards Dhanurdhara. Our exchanges have always been reasonably positive.

The last time we spoke was in Vrindavana in 2016. As I was leaving he asked me what I would do if I was in his shoes. I told him that I would strive to cut my ties with the institution and create a life entirely independent as I just didn't see how he could have his cake and eat it.

Given his history, I didn't see how he could continue to have the respect he wants, i.e. to be accepted as a Sannyasi and a guru and enjoy the benefits offered by the institution.

It is important to remember that Dhanurdhara was not forced to leave ISKCON he chose to leave ISKCON to avoid facing the consequences of his actions. At the time the CPO had imposed some temporary suspensions of privileges, but Dhanurdhara chose to leave rather than comply.

From Dhanurdhara's 2006 resignation letter:

“Therefore I will step away from ISKCON and perform devotional service outside the institution. I do this as a service to Srila Prabhupada’s Society and to ISKCON’s youth. I plan to live a simple, repentant life, where I hope my presence will not disturb others, taking shelter of the holy name and my godbrothers. I hope this will be a step toward mending the great rift that seems so destructive to our Society”.

I am convinced that it would be a lot easier for Dhanurdhara to obtain the forgiveness of his victims if he actually followed his promise. The problem here is not even the fact that Dhanurdhar holds the grim record of being the most named child abuser in the Turley case files.

The bigger problem now is that he did not honor the exit pledges he made. His ongoing attempts to slide in through the back door, aided by his influential supporters in ISKCON, are undignified and suggest a lack of goodwill on his part. 

PADA: And a lack of goodwill on the part of the other ISKCON leaders.

His conduct suggests that he did not mean the words in his resignation letter. It suggests that his well crafted letter was simply an empty political move. If we look at the story of Jagai and Madhai, after obtaining the forgiveness of Lord Nityananda, they spent the rest of their lives offering a menial service to the devotee community staying out of the limelight.

The problem with Dhanurdhara is that rather than living the simple repentant life, he said he would, he has continued to endeavor to be in the spotlight, to pursue prestige, honor and followers.

I suspect that many will say: “What is the big deal? Niranjana Maharaj is friends with Dhanurdhara and he had him over for his birthday bash”?

The thing is that when you are an ISKCON Sannyasi, guru or GBC you are no longer just a regular citizen, you are a leader and a public figure. Leaders teach by their example. The rules are different, they have greater privileges and greater responsibilities. As a public figure they no longer have much of a private life.

Niranjana Maharaj is one of the most senior leaders in ISKCON, to the best of my knowledge, he has never done anything to address the child abuse problems that plagues ISKCON. I have never known of him to offer any protection or support to the victims of child abuse.

What does this say about Niranajana Maharaja's stance on the issue? He is teaching his disciples that abusing children is NOT a big deal...

Madhavananda das holds regular retreat programs in Puri with Dhanurdhara for ISKCON devotees. Senior devotees like Bhurijan, Sacinandana Swami, Vaishesika and others also invite Dhanurdhara as one of the guest speakers at their Govardhana retreats. Their actions minimize the gravity of child abuse. With their endorsement of a notorious child abuser, they are helping sustain a culture where the welfare of children is not prioritized.

Every time a senior leader fraternizes or honors a child abuser or presents a him as a respectable sadhu, they are teaching their followers and disciples that child abuse is NOT a big deal. They are perpetuating a culture that minimizes and tolerates the abuse of children.

Every time Dhanurdhara seeks or accepts positions of honor provided by ISKCON devotees, he is dishonoring his pledge. This is a common phenomena, many child abusers could be welcome to live and serve in ISKCON, IF they could simply accept to live the simple life out of the spotlight, that Dhanurdhara wrote about. But this is hardly ever the case, invariably they vigorously seek out services and positions that come with considerable privileges and status.

Ironically this insatiable thirst and pursuit for respect, status and significance betrays their own lack of spiritual qualifications. We live in a society where prison inmates understand that child abuse is bad, but senior spiritual leaders do not...
So far, the efforts of the leadership towards child protection, have been mostly cosmetic. They appear to do the absolute minimum they can get away with to avoid bad publicity, but when they think nobody is looking, they conduct betrays a disturbing lack of awareness or concern.

I look forward to the day when ISKCON leaders demonstrate with their actions that they understand the paramount importance of protecting the vaishnava children that take birth in Mahaprabhu's movement.

PADA: An ex-gurukuli saw Dhanurdar getting his all star "resident of Vaikuntha guru welcome," with everyone falling on the ground to offer him humble respects, and then giving him an elevated big seat to lecture at the temple. That gurukuli was a victim of Dhanurdar, and he went home and took his life. They self evidently really don't really care much about the victims, and don't care much for us whistle blowers either. And that gurukuli is one of a number who have ended their lives. Yeah, there is a lot of concern to give forgiveness, assistance and welcoming to the perps, but where is the concern for the victims? Good question. Unfortunately, we already know the answer, they favor their fellow cabal members over victims and whistle blowers. ys pd

DD: Outside people are not easy to convince. They are not blinded by philosophy and always on alert because they are in day to day fight to survive etc. Maharaja probably thought that he will be a celebrity outside ISKCON, that didn't work. So he is trying to get his piece of cake again. 

I am not fully aware of what he was doing, but many of this came from hippy life and didnt have neither proper character nor proper mental state to deal with responsible roles. So resulting were disastrous actions. Best would be to sit down and chant and repent.

VC: "We live in a society where prison inmates understand that child abuse is bad, but senior ISKCON spiritual leaders do not..." BAM

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Safala Ekadashi..

Happy Ekadashi to all..

Safala Ekadasi Vrat Katha – The story of Saphala Ekadashi

Safala Ekadasi falls during the waning phase of moon in December. It is observed during the Krishna paksha of Paush month in North India and the corresponding month in other regions is the Krishna Paksha of Margashirsh month. There is an interesting story regarding the glory of Saphala Ekadashi. This Safala Ekadasi Vrat Katha is read or listened by those observing the fast.

Once there lived a very powerful and famous king named Mahishmata. He had four sons but the eldest son Lumpaka was arrogant and was indulged in all sort of bad activities including harming the citizens. The king was not ready to tolerate the behavior of his eldest son and exiled him.

Lumpaka began to live in a forest on the outskirts of the kingdom and started robbing travelers. He used to sleep during the day time under a banyan tree where there was a small idol of Lord Vishnu but he never bothered to worship it. His meals consisted of raw meat and fruits.

He lived like this for several years and once a couple of days before Safala Ekadasi he fell ill and became very weak. Due to illness, he became unconscious and woke up on Safala Ekadashi day but as he was weak he could not hunt or rob travelers. Unable to move, he prayed to Lord Vishnu idol under the banyan tree for recovery from illness and offered some fruits that had fallen from the banyan tree, which were eaten by birds.

He fasted the whole day and remained awake at night. Thus unknowingly Lumpaka performed the Saphala Ekadasi Vrat.

The next day morning he felt some kind of renewed energy. He felt sad about his wanton life and tears started trickling down from his eyes. He wept before the Vishnu idol and suddenly he heard a voice from the sky. The voice said that he had performed the Safala Ekadasi Vrat and Lord Vishnu has washed away all his sins and he should return to his father and start a new life.

As directed by the voice from the sky, Lumpaka reached the kingdom and started leading a good life and showed interest in the welfare of the people and in the course of time he became the king and was noted for his just and kind rule.
Hare Krishna..